Social Scene

Robert Devaney • March 10, 2012

Set the scene at a local bank, plan a heist and throw a party a la movie, “The Thomas Crown Affair,” whose investigators say things like “I love this neighborhood,” “Some of these broads are wearing my salary” and “This is an elegant crime, done by an elegant person. It’s not about the money.” Sounds like a perfect fit for our town.

It was like that March 3 at the TD Bank on Wisconsin Avenue, where teller counters became the bar, during a benefit for the Citizens Association of Georgetown’s free music series, Summer Concerts in the Park, now in its 10th year

Suspects included Jennifer Altemus, Nancy Taylor Bubes, Jack and Michele Evans, Carol Joynt, John and Kristen Lever and Topher Mathews. What were they hiding? Joynt was carrying a kid’s pink backpack, Bubes lugged around a guitar case, Lever was rolling some luggage, and holding a vintage case was Altemus, who was caught trying to abscond with a Katherine Sable print. Whodunit? She did. The CAG president, no less. Mystery solved. What a town. [gallery ids="102437,121424,121401,121409,121417,121429,121435,121442" nav="thumbs"]

Mary Bird • March 8, 2012

Ambassador of Luxembourg Jean-Paul Senninger and Mrs. Louise Akerblom hosted Arts for the Aging’s 23rd Annual Benefit Gala at their residence on Nov. 1. The black tie evening featured a VIP champagne reception and an elegant buffet. Following the Ambassador’s opening remarks, violinist and AFTA teaching artist Anthony Hyatt played the national anthem of Luxembourg. Gala co-chairs Susanne Eisinger and Joyce Hagel-Silverman presented the 4th Annual Lolo Sarnoff Award for Outstanding Vision and Creativity to Dr. Dorothy Kosinski, Director of The Phillips Collection. Board Chair Susan Rosenbaum, AFTA’s first successor to founder Lolo Sarnoff on the newly established National Honorary Advisory Council, said what so many were thinking, “Our hearts and love are with Lolo tonight. For the first time in decades, she could not be here with us for the gala. She asked me to thank each and every one of you for helping to keep her dream alive.” Monique Summers-Mally and Eva Lamb co-chaired live and silent auctions. AFTA delivers arts experiences designed to enhance the quality of life of older adults, especially the vulnerable and frail. [gallery ids="100386,111249,111242,111246" nav="thumbs"]

Mary Bird •

The National Museum of Women in the Arts held a Feb. 23 opening reception for the current exhibit Royalists to Romantics: Women Artists from the Louvre, Versailles, and Other French National Collections, curated by Jordana Pomeroy. NMWA board president Winton Holladay, French cultural attaché Roland Celette and NMWA director Susan Fisher Sterling made welcoming remarks. Many of the works from the time of the French Revolution, on exhibit through July 29, have never been displayed outside France.
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Mary Bird •

The Washington Project for the Arts, a non-profit promoting excellence in contemporary art throughout greater Washington, celebrated its “Annual Art Auction Exhibition and Gala,” March 3 for “Select,” which opened Feb. 11 with works of more than 100 local and national artists on display and available for purchase. [gallery ids="100527,119414,119407,119387,119400,119395" nav="thumbs"]

Georgetowner •

Choral Arts supporters, old and new, came out March 1 on an unexpectedly balmy evening to chase away the winter blues at the George Town Club with the music of guitarist Michael Bard and many libations and laughs. In the midst of their legacy season for retiring founder Norman Scribner, the group is preparing to celebrate the maestro with a performance of Brahms Requiem at the Kennedy Center Apr. 22, followed by an after-party at the House of Sweden and a tribute concert and reception on June 13 at the Washington National Cathedral.

Mary Bird • March 7, 2012

The first event for the Young Ambassador’s Council of The Children’s Inn at NIH raised nearly $30,000 at the House of Sweden Feb. 25, as hundreds of young professionals danced to live music and enjoyed an evening of cocktails and hors d’oeuvres. The Inn is a non-profit, cost-free haven for families with seriously ill children undergoing treatment at Bethesda’s National Institutes of Health. [gallery ids="102439,121380" nav="thumbs"]

Mary Bird •

Luckily, everyone came hungry and thirsty to the Fairmont on March 1, as the hotel unveiled its refurbished entertaining emporium. Regional vice president and general manager Mark Andrew introduced a choreographed dance routine by Fairmont staff worthy of a tryout for “Dancing with the Stars.” The hotel has long been known as a wedding venue, and the evening’s offerings only heightened expectations for happily-ever-afters. [gallery ids="102438,121387,121399,121405,121394" nav="thumbs"]

Mary Bird •

Some guests arrived rain soaked, but Ambassador Tan thanked Teresa and Nuri Yurt of Toka Salon for ensuring that models were groomed to perfection as they showcased the elegant designs of Nedret Taciro?lu during an Feb. 29 evening reception at the Turkish Embassy. He termed the internationally acclaimed designer one of Turkey’s “greatest talents.” Ms. Taciro?lu, who created an 18-piece collection for former First Lady Nancy Reagan, also produces a line of fashionable home accessories. [gallery ids="100524,119316,119273,119308,119281,119303,119290,119297" nav="thumbs"]